Photo courtesy of Henry Law The signers of the commitment statement pose for a group photo after the signing Oct. 11 in St. Philomena Church in Kalawao. From left, Sacred Hearts Father Patrick Killilea, Kalaupapa; Wim Vandenbroeck, general director, Tremelo; Maui Mayor Richard Bissen; Yves Wantens, consulate general of Belgium to the U.S.; Valerie Monson, Ka Ohana O Kalaupapa; Sister Alicia Damien Lau, Sisters of St. Francis; Gov. Josh Green; Bert De Wit, mayor of Tremelo; Bishop Larry Silva; Deacon Bambi Emayo; Meli and Randall Watanuki, Kalaupapa; Ruben Boon, curator of the Damiaan Museum, Tremelo.
By Patrick Downes
Hawaii Catholic Herald
A delegation of nine Belgians was in Hawaii this month to commemorate the 150th anniversary of their revered countryman, St. Damien de Veuster, stepping foot on Molokai, and to sign a “commitment statement” with Bishop Larry Silva, Hawaii’s Gov. Josh Green, Maui Mayor Richard Bissen, Kalaupapa residents, representatives of religious communities associated with Kalaupapa, and others.
Most were officials from Tremelo, the saint’s birthplace.
The document was “inspired by the legacy of the people of Kalaupapa, to whom Damien belonged, and the inseparable bond that exists between Tremelo and Kalaupapa.”
The 13 signatories agreed to “work together against all possible forms of unjust exclusion and to propagate and put into practice the values of ohana, malama and aloha. In particular, the partners will promote a correct and inclusive language and imagery, regarding Hansen’s disease and those affected by it, to respect everyone’s dignity.”
The 500-word statement was signed Oct. 11 in St. Philomena Church, Kalawao, on an altar made by the saint himself.
Other promises included:
- –“To keep alive, make known and disseminate together to the widest possible audience the histories and stories of the people of Kalaupapa, including the history and story of Father Damien.
- –“To support moments and monuments of commemoration and remembrance, including the Kalaupapa Memorial at Kalawao and the birthplace and shrine of Father Damien in Tremelo and Leuven (the city where he is interred), respectively.
- –”To preserve and promote together the tangible and intangible heritage of the people of Kalaupapa, including Father Damien, through various initiatives and projects.”
The Kalaupapa signers were Meli and Randall Watanuki, and John Arruda. Valery Monson of the Ka Ohana O Kalaupapa, an organization of patients, family and friends of Kalaupapa, also signed.
The Ohana helped coordinate the trip along with Seawind Tours of Honolulu.
“Our Ohana could not be happier with this partnership,” said Valerie Monson, member of the organization’s board of directors. “We are excited that the city leaders and Damien Museum leaders of Tremelo want to weave the stories of the people of Kalaupapa with the story of Damien.”
“It will make Damien’s legacy that much richer, showing how he worked so well with the people of Kalaupapa, forming friendships and deep relationships,” Monson said.
“The Belgians were so eager to listen and to learn,” she said.
The visitors spent nine days in Hawaii, four of them in Kalaupapa where they sought to walk in the footsteps of St. Damien including the strenuous zig-zag trek up and down the cliff trail to topside Molokai.
The Tremelo officials included Bert De Wit, mayor; Bertrand Early, alderman; Nick De Rijck, alderman, Wim Vandenbroeck, general director; and Nadia Gijsemans, head of communication.
The group also included Bart Massart, president Museum Council; Ruben Boon, curator of the Damien Museum; and Yves Wantens and Tanuja Munnoo of the Consulate General of Belgium, Delegation of Flanders.
